Odds are on a White Christmas

BRITAIN is on course for a White Christmas with snow likely as far south as London, say forecasters.

A cold blast of Arctic air is due to blow in around the end of next month []

A cold blast of Arctic air is due to blow in around the end of next month, according to Jonathan Powell, of Vantage Weather Services.

He added: “There is a good chance of snow falling in many places this Christmas.”

In order for it to be officially declared a White Christmas, a single flake of snow must fall on any of the Met Office’s observation sites around the country.

The number of people betting on it happening this year – for the 39th time in 52 years – has trebled in the past week, according to Ladbrokes.

A spokesman for the bookmaker said it had slashed odds on the event to 7-2 after an “avalanche” of bets.

Much of Britain can expect its snowiest winter for 100 years, according to James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather.

There is a good chance of snow falling in many places this Christmas

Jonathan Powell of Vantage Weather Services

Other experts predict that it could be the coldest winter for a century.

But before the winter chill sets in, forecasters last night warned that parts of Britain will be deluged by four inches of rain and lashed by 80mph gusts of wind in the next three days.

Mr Powell said that after a “slight lull” today wind and rain will “charge back with a vengeance” tomorrow as a low-pressure weather system moves in from the Atlantic.

Met Office forecaster Sarah Holland added: “It is going to be a very unsettled week... with rain raising the risk of flooding and some quite string gusts on the way. It is possible we will see some disruption to transport.”

The Environment Agency had last night issued 38 flood alerts covering most of England from the South-east to the North-west as well as five more serious flood warnings for the Southwest.

It warned people to stay away from swollen rivers.

The agency said it had mobilised its staff across the country to check flood defences, clear blocked waterways and monitor river levels.

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